Excavator



3 Sheets-Sheet 1. e, W. KING. BXGAVATOR.

(No Model.)

N0. 586,099. Patented July 13,1897.

1 v e icfolr 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. W. KING. EXOAVATOR.

(No Model.)

Patented July 13, 189'7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. G. W. KING.

EXOAVATOR.

(No Model.)

N0. 586,099. Patented July 13, 1897.

, W mizz UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

EX CAVATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 586,099, dated July 13,1897. Application filed March 6, 1896. Serial No. 582,028. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. KING, of Marion, Marion county, Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Excavators and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit pertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates'to improvements in excavators and it consists,among other thin gs, in improved apparatus involving a new arrangementof actuating or propelling chains or cables and pulleys for thrusting oractuating the dipper or shovel of the excavator in and out and capableof elfecting a slow and powerful excavating thrust or stroke and acomparatively rapid return of the shovel after excavating.

My invent-ion consists also in a peculiar arrangement of three sheavesfor guiding the two shovel propelling or feed chains side by side and atopposite sides, respectively, of and in close proximity to the axis ofthe boom or crane bearing turntable, so that the tension of said chainsor cables shall not be materially interfered with in swinging the craneor boom laterally.

My invention consists, furthermore, in the combination, with theshovel-feed chains and feed-chain-actuating drums, of apeculiararrangement of tightening-chains for preventing slack in saidfeed-chains and accommodating the rotation of one of said drums morerapidly than the other drum.

My invention consists also in improvements in bracing the excavatorexternally and laterally, and comprising a jack or brace capable ofbeing swung laterally alongside of the excavator as a convenience intransportation or shipment of the machine and having its.

upper bearing in close proximity to the upper extremity 0r apex of theso-called A-frame, that is instrumental in supporting the boom or crane.

My invention consists also in a peculiar brace construction thataccommodates the employment of a foot, brace, or platform having a wideor large bearing upon the ground or supporting-surface and that can beraised bodily by turning the braces screw in the required directionwithout requiring the sepa- In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is ia side elevation of a steam shovel or excavator embodying my invention.Fig. 2 is a top plan and has portions broken away to more clearly showthe construction. Fig. 3 is a front side elevation of the boom-supporting A-frame and a brace employed in bracing the excavator externally andlaterally. Fig. 4 is a top plan showing the position of the threehorizontallyarranged shovel-feed-chain-guiding sheaves and engagingcables when the boom orcrane is swung laterally at right. angles to thecar or body portion of the excavator. Fig. 5 is a top plan showing therollers or wheels for bearing the handle of the excavating dipper orshovel and for preventing said handle from riding on the feed-chains andchain-guiding pulleys in the operation of the machine. Fig. 6 is acentral vertical section on line 6 6,Fig.3.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the car or body portion of theexcavator, that is mounted upon wheeled trucks at (1, arranged at theforward end and rear end, respectively, of the body portion. I call thebody portions end that bears the boom-swinging table its forward end.

B designates the boom or crane, that is operatively connected at itslower end with the horizontally-arranged turn-table I), supported in anyapproved manner from the forward end of the excavators body portion. Theboom comprises in the main two parallel bars or beams projectingupwardly and outwardly from the turn-table in the usual manner, and atits upper end is connected, by means of a rod O, (shown only in Fig. 1,)with abracket or yoke O, hinged or pivoted vertically at O to the upperend of the upright so-called A- frame or inverted-V-shaped frame D, arranged widthwise of the machine and straddling the rear portion of theturn -table. Frame D is supported at the rear by any suitable number ofbeams or bars d, connecting the upper end of frame A with the bodyportion of the machine a suitable distance rearward of said frame. Thevertical axes of the turn-table and bracket 0 are coincident with eachother and constitute the axes of the boom.

E designates the excavating dipper or shovel, E its bail, and 6 its armor handle, that has bearing upon the peripheries of two rollers orwheels F, loosely mounted upon a horizontally-arranged shaft f, placedtransversely of and suitably supported from the central portion of theboom.

G and H designate the feed chains or cables for actuating the shovel ordipper in and out, respectively-that is, chain G thrusts the shoveloutwardly for excavating and chain H returns or actuates the shovelinwardly after excavating. I desire to impart a slow and powerfulmovement to the shovel in excavating, and I accomplish this by attachingthe chain G at one end, at g, to a verticallyswinging yoke or frame g,suitably supported from shaft f, thence passing the chain up- I wardlyand inwardly to and over a verticallyarranged pulley or sheave c,suitably supported from the free end of the shovel-arm, within the slot6 (see Fig. 2,) formed eentrally in and extending longitudinally of thearm, whence the chain returns (leads downwardly and outwardly) to and inunder a pulley G,loosely mounted upon shaft f. From pulley G chain Gleads downwardly and inwardly along the boom to the drum hereinafterreferred to. The other shovelfeed chain or cable H is attached at oneend, at h, to the shovel-arm at any suitable point between the centralportion and load-bearing end of the arm, and thence leads inwardly alongsaid arm to and over a pulley I-I, loosely mounted upon shaft f at theside of pulley G, and from said pulley II chain H leads downwardly andinwardly to the actuating-drum hereinafter referred to. Bytheconstruction thus far described it is obvious that, although bothactuating drums are driven at the same speed in winding up the engagingchain or cable, chain G, on account of the loop formed in said chainwhere it leads over the pulley at the free end of the shovel-arm, isactuated powerfully and much slower, as desired, than chain II, or, inother words, a slow and powerful movement is transmitted to the shovelduring the latters excavating stroke and a comparatively rapid return ofthe shovel after excavating is effected.

By the construction hereinbefore described, wherein chain G is attachedto the verticallyswinging yoke orframe g, supported from the shaft thatbears pulleys G and H, the shovelarm can be swung in a vertical planewithout materially altering the tension of the chain or changing theposition of the arm.

Both chains G and H lead in under the different sheaves, respectively,of a pair of suit ably-supported vertically-arranged guidesheaves G Harranged also longitudinally of the boom and side by side and a suitabledistance forward and at opposite sides, respectively, of the turirtablesaxis, as shown in Fig. 2. From sheaves G H chains G and H lead side byside between and over the different sheaves, respectively, of a pair ofhorizontally-arranged sister guide-sheaves G H suitably supported fromthe turn-table at the outer side of the different sheaves G Hrespectively. Sheaves G and H are located between sheaves G H and theaxis of the turn-table, and from said sheaves G and H chains G and Hlead to and engage diametrically opposite points, respectively, of ahorizontally-arranged guide-sheave I, suitably supported from and havingits axis coincident with the axis of the turn-table, as shown in Fig. 2.By said arrangement of sheaves it will be observed that the swinging ofthe boom laterally will not materially interfere with the tension of thechains. In Fig. 4 is shown the position of sheaves G H and I andengaging chains when the boom is swung laterally and rearwardly in onedirection at right angles to the body portion of the machine.

From sheave I chains G and H lead to and engage different winding-drumsG and H respectively, that are loosely mounted upon a horizontal shaftJ, arranged transversely of and suit-ably supported from the machinesbody portion. Shaft J is rotated, when operated, continuously in onedirection. A comparatively diametrically large spur-gear J, operativelymounted upon shaft J, meshes with a pinion J operatively mounted upon asuitably-supported shaft J arranged parallel with and a suitabledistance rearward of shaft J, and shaft J that is rotated continuouslyin one direction, is intergeared at J 4 with the suitably-supporteddriving-shaft J to which power is communicated in any approved manner. Asuitably-operated clutch j is provided for each drum G and H andcontrols operative connection between the respective drum and shaft J.The one or the other of said drums is actuated to wind up and therebypositively actuate the engaging shovelfeed chain upon establishingoperative connection between said drum and its supporting-shaft. Whileone drum winds up the engaging feed-chain, the other drum is free to payout its engaging feed-chain, and consequently the shovel is actuatedoutwardly, as required to excavate, or inwardly, as required to returnafter excavating, according as the one or the other feed-chain is woundupon the engaging drum.

It will be observed that pulleys G and H are arranged between rollers orwheels F F and that the latter are diametrically larger than the rims ofsaid pulleys, and hence the shovel-arm is not only prevented from ridingupon the shovel-feed chains, but is also prevented from riding on saidpulley-rims.

To automatically take up any slack in chains G and H at all times,regardless of the different speed at which drums G H rotate, I causeeach of the shovel-feed chains to wind upon one end portion of theengaging drum and have the other of said drums operatively engaged by atension chain or cable and employ a suitable device to act upon andmaintain both tension-chains taut at all times. G designates thetension-cable engaging drum G and H represents the tension-cableengaging drum H and the arrangement of parts is such that eachtension-cable winds upon the engaging drum when the latter is paying outthe engaging shovel-feed chain, and vice versa. Tension-cable G leadsrearwardly from the engaging drum over shaft J and over and rearward ofthe driving-shaft to and over a pair of suitably-supportedhorizontallyarranged sheaves G thence returns (that is, leads forwardly)to and over the sheave G of a pulley-block, and thence leads rearwardlyagain and thereby completes the formation of a loop in said cable, andis attached at its rear end to the eye of a longitudinally-adjustableeyebolt G extending through a stationary bracket G and bearing a spiralspring G confined upon the bolt between the rear side of the bracket anda nut G mounted upon the screw-threaded shank of the bolt.

Tension-cable H leads rearwardly from the engaging drum over shaft J andis suitably attached at its rear end to the strap or frame of theaforesaid pulley-block. Spring G acts to maintain both tension-cablestaut, and nut G accommodates the adjustment of the springs tension.

As already indicated, the shovel-feed chain G, instrumental in effectingthe shovels excavating stroke, actuates the shovel, by virtue of theloop formed therein, slower than the cable H, instrumental in effectingthe shovels return stroke after excavating and having noshovel-retarding loop. It follows, therefore, that the drum that engagescable Gwhen paying out said cable during the shovels return stroke willrotate faster than the drum engaged in winding up cable H, and it willbe observed, furthermore, that the drum that engages cable H when payingout said cable H during the shovels excavating stroke will also rotateslower thanthe drum engaged in effecting said excavating stroke. Theimportance, therefore, of the formation of the retarding-loop in thetightening-cable that engages the drum that is operatively engaged bythe looped shovel-feed cable will be readily understood, and it isobvious that by said arrangement of tension-cables the difference inspeed at which the two drums are simultaneously rotated is accommodated,and both shovelfeed cables are kept under proper tension at all times.

Referring, lastly, to my improved brace for bracing the machinelaterally and externally, it will be observed that the brace comprisestwo horizontally-arranged bars M, vertically pivoted at their innerends, at M, a suitable distance'apart, to the under sideof themachinesbody portion and extending laterally of the machine and convergingtoward their outer ends, where they are secured to an uprightdiagonally-arranged bar N, preferably rigid, at its lower end, with theouter end of the forward bar M and preferably detachably secured to therearward bar M. Bar N has a swiveled bearing at its upper end in asocket 61, secured to or formed upon frame D near the upper extremity ofsaid frame, so that bar N, together with the forward bar M, can be swunglaterally, upon detaching the rear bar M, against the body portion ofthe machine.

preparatory to transportation or shipment of the machine. Bar N at itslower end is pr0- vided with a nutmengaged by a vertical screw 0,extending through said nut and above and below bars M. The screw isshown provided with a collar 0, formed upon the screw above bars M andhaving a series of holes 0 (see Fig. 6) arranged at intervalscircumferentially of the collar and adapted to receive a bar 0 (see Fig.3,) instrumental in turning said collar and consequently the screw. Acap-plate or head P (see Fig. 6) rests upon the upper end of the screwand is provided upon its under side and centrally with a concavity ordepression 1?, engaged by the upper convex end of the screw. The screwis arranged to bear upon a platform, foot, or base Q, havingcomparatively large dimensions and adapted to rest upon the ground orsupporting-surface. Aplate R is secured to the top of the baseor footand is provided upon its upper side and centrally with a concavity ordepression R, engaged by the lower convex end of the screw. Twoperpendicular rods S are instrumental in operatively connecting.

together head P and foot or base R at opposite, sides, respectively, ofthe screw.

The aforesaid construction of brace possesses greatstrength anddurability, has great bracing capacity, affords a wide or large bearingupon the ground or supporting-surface, and has its foot or base raisedby the screw upon turning the latter in the direction required toelevate it. The upper ends of rods S are secured, preferably, to theeyes of bolts S, that extend upwardly through head P, and nuts S mountedupon the shanks of said bolts above said head, secure the bolts to thehead. The lower ends of said rods S are secured similarly to the eyes ofbolts S that extend downwardly through plate It and adjacent portion ofbase or foot Q, and nuts S mounted upon the shanks of said bolts S belowsaid portion of the foot or base, secure said bolts to the base or foot.

Of course it will be understood that the machine is provided with twobraces arranged at opposite sides, respectively,of the machine. In Figs.2 and 3 portions of one of the braces are swung laterally against theadjacent side of the machines body portion for the purpose of moreclearly illustrating this feature.

The hoisting chain or cable E (shown in Fig. 1) is attached atone end tothe shovelbail, thence leads upwardly to and over a vertically-arrangedguide-sheave E that is also arranged longitudinally of and supportedfrom the upper end of the boom, thence rearwardly a short distance belowand along rod 0 to and over a vertically-arranged sheave E also arrangedlongitudinally of the machine and suitably supported from alaterally-swinging bracket E supported from the head of the A-frame. Theaxis of bracket E preferably obliquely traverses an imaginary lineconnecting the axes of the boom and is arranged parallel orapproximately parallel with the portion of the hoisting-chain leadingrearwardly and downwardly from said sheave E that is located justforward of the axial line of the boom, as shown in Fig. 1, by whichconstruction said sheave and the engaging chain-section rearward of thesheave will be retained in their proper relative position or alinementwhen the boom or crane is swung laterally. From sheave F thehoisting-chain leads downwardly and rearwardly into operative engagementwith a windingdrum E loosely mounted upon shaft J that, as alreadyindicated, is arranged parallel with and rearward of shaft J, that bearsthe shovelfeed-chain-actuating drums. A suitably-0perated clutch E (seeFig. 2) controls operative connection between the hoisting-drum andshaft. It is obvious that the excavatingshovel is hoisted by winding upthe hoistingcable and lowers by gravity upon permitting thehoisting-drum to pay out said cable.

The two chains or cables I) I) (see Fig. 2) for swinging the boomlaterally in opposite directions, respectively, are attached to theturn-table in the usual manner at opposite sides, respectively, of theboom, and thence lead rearwardly to and operatively engage differentWinding-drums 19- b respectively, loosely mounted upon shaft J Asuitablyoperated clutch b is provided for each drum 5 for controllingoperative connection between said drum and the shaft, and it is obviousthat the boom is swung in the one direction or the other, according asoperative connection between shaft J and the one or the other of drums bis established.

It will be observed that the winding-drums instrumental in swinging theboom or crane and the hoisting-drum are mounted upon shaft J and thatthe drums employed for actuating the shovel-feed chains are mounted uponthe more-slowly-rotated and forward shaft J. This arrangement is muchmore desirable than an arrangement wherein the shovel-feed drums are onthe shaft that bears the hoisting-d rum or boom-swin gin g drums, orboth, when it is desirable to have the shovelfeed movements much slowerthan the shovelhoisting and boom-swinging movements.

The shovel-feed shaft J has a chain-pulley T (see Fig. 2) looselymounted upon its central portion, and said pulley is operativelyconnected by means of a chain T with a chain-pulley T operativelyconnected with the rear axle of the forward truck, by which constructionno separate shaft for the cars propelling mechanism is required. Asuitably-operated clutch t is of course provided for controllingoperative connection between pulley T and shaft J.

What I claim is 1. The combination of the boom; suitablysupportedexcavating-shovel and its arm having its upper or inner portion slottedlongitudinally and bearing a sheave within the outer end of said slot;two vertically-arranged pulleys arranged side by side and suitablysupported from the boom and one of said pulleys being arranged in thesame vertical plane with the shovel-arm sheave; a suitably-supportedVertically-swinging U-shaped frame straddling the pulley lastly referredto, and said frame and the two boom-pulleys having their axescoincident; a suitably-actuated feed-cable attached to the centralmember of said U-shaped frame, thence extending upwardly to and over theshovel-arm sheave and thence returning and leading to and in under thestraddled boom -pulley, and another suitably-actuated feed-cableattached to and nearer the arms shovel-bearing end and thence extendingto and over the other boom-pulley, substantially as shown, for thepurpose specified.

2. The combination with the boom capable of being swung laterally,excavating-shovel, and the two suitably-actuated cables for feeding theshovel in opposite directions, respectively, said cables passing side byside and at opposite sides, respectively, of the booms lower pivotalcenter, of a horizontally-arranged sheave having its axis coincidentwith said center and arranged between and engaging both of the aforesaidcables, and two other horizontally-arranged sheaves arranged at oppositesides, respectively, and forward of the central sheave, and having theiropposite extremities arranged to be engaged by the different cables,respectively, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with the horizontallyarranged turn-table and twosuitably-actuated propelling cables or lines traversing said table sideby side and at opposite sides, respectively of the tables axis, of ahorizontally-arranged sheave having its axis coincident with the tablesaxis and engaged by the aforesaid propellinglines at diametricallyopposite points, respectively, and two other horizontallyarrangedsheaves at opposite sides, respectively, and forward of thecentrally-located sheave and having their opposing extremities arrangedin line, or approximately in line, with the diametricallyoppositely-located chain-traversed points, respectively, of the centralsheave, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination with the boom capable of being swung laterally,excavating-shovel and the two suitably-actuated shovel-feed cablespassing side by side and at oppositesides, respectively, of the boomslower pivotal center, of a horizontally-arranged sheave having its axiscoincident with said center and IIO arranged between and engaged by bothof said cables, a pair of horizontally-arranged sheaves arranged atopposite sides, respectively, and forward of the centrally-locatedsheave and having their opposing extremities arranged to be engaged bythe different cables, respectively, and a pair of verticallyarrangedsheaves arranged to bear upon the different cables, respectively,forward of the aforesaid pair of horizontally-arranged sheaves,substantially as and for the purpose set forth. p

5. The combination with two cables for feeding the excavating-shovel inopposite direc tions, respectively, and the winding-drums engaging saidcables and rotated simultaneouslyin opposite directions, respectively,and at different speeds, of two tension-cables engaging the differentdrums, respectively, and adapted to unwind from or wind upon therespective drum according as said drum winds up or pays outthe engagingshovel-feed cable,

and the tension-cable connected with the drum adapted to pay out theengaging shovel-feed cable more rapidly, having a loop formed thereinand having the closed end of said loop connected with the othertension-cable, substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.

G. The combination of the suitably-supported excavatingshovel; asuitably-supported and suitably-driven shaft rotated, when operated,continuously in one direction;

a two winding-drums loosely mounted upon said shaft; a clutch for eachof said drums for controlling operative connection between therespective drum and shaft; cables for feeding the shovel in oppositedirections, respectively, said cables being operatively connected withthe difierent drums, respectively, and being so arranged, applied andguided that the cable adapted to thrust or feed the shovel in excavatingshall transmit slower movement to the shovel than the shovel-returncable, whereby the drum instrumental in effecting the excavating orslower stroke of the shovel shall be rotated more rapidly in paying outthe engaging shovel-feed cable than the other drum; two tension-cablesoperatively engaging the different drums, respectively, and arranged towind upon or unwind from the respective drum according as the latterpays out or Winds up the engaging shovel-feed cable, and thetension-cable engaging the drum instrumental in effecting the shovelsexcavating or slower stroke having a loop formed therein and having the.

closed end of the loop connected with the other tension-cable,substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.

7. The combination with the suitably-supported excavating-shovel; asuitably-supported and suitably-driven shaft rotated, when operated,continuously in one direction two winding-drums loosely mounted uponsaid shaft; a clutch for each of said drums for controlling operativeconnection between the respective drum and shaft; cables for operativelyengaging the different drums, re-

spectively, and arranged to wind upon or unwind from the respective drumaccording as the latter pays out or winds up the engaging shovel-feedcable, and the tension-cable engaging the drum instrumental ineiifecting.

the shovels excavating or slower stroke having a loop formed therein; apulley-block having its sheave engaging the closed end of said loop andhaving its frame or strap connected with the other tension-cable, andsuitable means connected with the looped tensioncable and acting totighten both tension-cables, substantially as shown, for the purposespecified.

8. The combination with the stationary part of the excavator, of anexternal brace comprising a frame arranged to brace the ma chines bodyportion laterally and provided, at its outer and lower end, with anupright nut, a screw extending through and engaging said nut, acap-plate or head resting upon the screws upper end, a platform, foot orbase borne upon by the lower end of the screw, and suitable connectionsbetween said base and head, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the stationary part of the machine, of anexternal brace comprising a frame arranged to brace the machinelaterally and suitably connected with said stationary part, andprovided, at its outer lower end, with an upright nut, a screw extendingthrough and engaging said nut, a head resting upon the screw, a foot orbase arranged to be borne upon by the screws lower end, and two verticalrods arranged at opposite sides, respectively, of the screw andoperatively connecting the base or foot with the head, substantially asset forth.

10. The combination with the stationary part of the excavator of anexternal brace comprising a frame arranged to brace the machinelaterally and suitably connected with said stationary part, andprovided, at its outer lower end, with an upright nut, a screw extendingthrough and engaging said nut, a head resting upon the screw, aplatform, foot or base arranged to be borne upon by the screws lowerend, any suitable number of vertical rods arranged between the head andbase or foot, eyeboltshaving their eyes attached to the upper ends ofsaid rods and extending upwardly through the head, nuts'upon said boltsabove said head, and other bolts secured to the foot or base and to thelower ends of the rods, substantially as set forth.

11. A machine of the character indicated, having its hoisting-drum andboom-swinging drum loosely mounted upon one shaft, and the shovel-feeddrums loosely mounted upon another shaft arranged forward of andparallel with and operatively connected with, but speeded slower than,the first-mentioned shaft, and a clutch for each drum for establishingoperative connection between said drum and the shaft supporting it,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. A machine of the character indicated, havingits shovel-feed drumsloosely mounted upon a shaft operatively provided with a gear, anotherand parallel shaft rearward of the shovel-feed-drum shaft and provided,operatively, with a gear diametrically smaller than and meshing With theaforesaid gear, the hoistingdrum and the boom-swinging drums looselymounted upon said rearward shaft, a clutch for each drum for controllingoperative connection between the drum and shaft supporting it, a pulleyloosely mounted upon the shovel-feed-drum shaft and operativelyconnected with the rear axle of the forward truck, and a clutch forcontrolling operative engagement between said pulley and shovelfeed-drumshaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification, in the presence of twowitnesses, this 14th day of February, 1896.

GEORGE W. KING.

\Vitnesses:

O. H. DORER, ELLA E. TILDEN.

